Saturday, July 14, 2012

From Dream to Idea to Novel

I have always been enthralled with words. Whether spoken or written, they have the power to influence, inspire, charm, enrage, soothe. The magic of language has been at the core of my choices from activities as a teenager: editor of my high school newspaper; to college study: journalism, communications, communication disorders; to my career: speech-language pathologist; to my lifelong hobby: creative writing.

Because of this, I dreamed of writing a novel. That dream was suppressed while I worked, parented, mowed lawns, shoveled snow, cheered at my sons' hockey games, skied down mountains, climbed up mountains, socialized with friends and on and on—no time to write a novel. Even if I did have the time, did I know how? Sure, I could read a book, but writing one was overwhelming. So I tucked my many ideas into the "Someday" file of my brain until...

...while relaxing with my (now) husband, Keith, on a park bench in Dupont Circle, DC, I witnessed a compelling interaction between an intense upscale white male who was losing a series of blitz chess games to an elderly African American male. The upscale man's wife and daughters waited impatiently as Dad and husband insisted on more games. I turned to Keith and said, "Wouldn't that be a great start for a novel?"

The idea simmered in my head and eventually ignited into a fire that I couldn't ignore. I had to write that story, but when? At the time I was a single parent of two sons transitioning into college, engaged to my love and best friend of eight years, Keith, working full time as a speech-language pathologist for a school district, working part time as a clinical supervisor at a college and maintaining a house. Sure...write a novel in my spare time.

Fortunately, I had taken the audio version of Excuses Be Gone by Dr. Wayne Dyer out of the library. After listening to it, I decided I not only could, but would write that novel...500 words a day. I kept that commitment to myself. I even wrote 500 words on my wedding day, Christmas, and the day of my house closing. I must confess. I did not write the week I moved or the day after my wedding.

What about the "how" part?

I have a B.A. in Journalism/Communications from the State University of New York and have taken many creative writing classes over the course of my life. In addition, I took online fiction writing classes and delved into books on novel creation. I'm also an avid reader, which is a must for every writer.

I absolutely fell one hundred percent in love with the process. Words gushed from my head and heart to my fingers onto the keyboard. Many days I wrote far more than 500 words. After several months, I had a rough draft of a novel.

Then came the editing. I needed to learn more so I called on the writing community for help. I attended several writing conferences and joined Saratoga Romance Writers and The Hudson Valley Writers Guild.
I enrolled in the master fiction class at East Line Books and Literary Center where I met the owner and instructor, Robyn Ringler, who became my mentor and independent editor. In January of 2011, I was one of ten writers selected to participate in a twelve week novel writing class taught by acclaimed author, James Lasdun, through the New York  Writers Institute. This led to acceptance into the New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College.

The learning process was incredible!

Four years after I witnessed that scene in Dupont Circle, I received this in the mail a week ago—the proof copy of "my novel." Talk about a kick back moment! I'd love to share the cover with you right now:



And here's what it's about:

Michael Stolis, a DC attorney, is frustrated by twelve hour work days, tightly scheduled weekends and his family's chaotic habits. He explodes over minor irritations like being stuck in traffic, and his tantrums need to stop. His disillusioned wife, Jamie, is sick of his anger outbursts, and wants him out of her life. Michael longs to reignite the passionate love they once felt for each other. Jamie prefers to spend her time fostering illicit Internet relationships. Michael had simply followed his Greek father's instructions for a successful life, but something went terribly wrong. A lucrative career, a Georgetown brownstone and a BMW coupe didn't deliver happiness as promised.  

When his family is about to implode, Michael finds hope through Rufus, an astute retired bus driver he meets over a game of blitz chess in Dupont Circle. Michael is intrigued by Rufus's prescription for  fulfillment, but is it too late to change a life, chase a dream, revive a marriage? Michael must decide how much he is prepared to lose if he embarks on a quest so very different from the world he created. Touching, romantic, and deeply provocative, A Stop in the Park, follows the story of a man and a woman who yearn to escape the trap of the modern American dream.   

My dream is about to become a reality with A Stop in the Park. Thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of my journey to a novel. So excited!!!!


KICK BACK SONG OF THE WEEK:


Dream by Priscilla Ahn. A wistful song about a little girl who has a dream. The lyrics and voice are beautiful.





KICK BACK BOOK OF THE WEEK:


No Question. It's Excuses be Gone by Dr. Wayne Dyer. I am just about certain that if I didn't read this book, I would never have written A Stop in the Park. Thank you, Dr. Dyer!




A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA:






35 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Peggy. Your journey from idea to publication is inspiration and motivation. I'm thrilled for you!

    Julie

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  2. Very inspiring, Peggy! And a great, big congratulations to you! I'll remember this post when I begin editing my first book in about three weeks. Thank you. I look forward to read your novel.

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    1. Hi Linneann ~ I didn't know you were about to finish a novel. Just wait until you write, "The End." It's a very emotional moment. Looking forward to hearing more about your book.

      Peggy

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  3. Congratulations! Your cover is lovely, and the synopsis drew me in immediately. I'm looking forward to reading the book. I'm also going to find a copy of Excuses Begone!

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    1. Hi Sandy,

      Thanks!!! Excuses Be Gone was a book that obviously made a huge impact on me. In fact, I'm going to re-read it (or re-listen) to it soon.

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  4. Congrats, Peggy! I love the backstory for your novel as well as the storyline and I'll definitely buy a copy (autographed,of course) when it comes out! Great cover!

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    1. Thanks Sandra! Can't wait to sign your copy. Love your children's books!

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  5. Peggy,
    I loved your background post and your synopsis is a great hook for readers. The Cover seems perfect for the novel and I can't wait to read an autographed copy!I know how exciting this is for you--I remember it well. Hold on to this excitement as you go through the perils of marketing :)

    Micki

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    1. Hi Micki ~ Good Advice. I may be contacting you as the perils of marketing become a reality.

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  6. Hi Peggy! Congratulations on your book! The cover is beautiful and I loved the back story. Great luck with all of the marketing. :-)
    Ramona
    BTW- there is a great new group on the web for writers called WANA- we are not alone- and there are lots of groups on blogging/ self publishing, etc. It's at http://wanatribe.com

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    1. Hi Ramona ~ Thanks for the congrats and thanks for telling me about WANA. I'll check them out.

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  7. Peggy,
    How proud you should be! I too, can't wait to get my autographed copy. My birthday is in September-great month!
    Congratulations Peggy. I applaud you for this amazing storyline.

    Many Blessings,
    Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins

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    1. My birthday is September, too! Um-m-m-m? I'm seeing a great month for sales:>)

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    2. My birthday is September, too! Um-m-m-m? I see a great month for sales:>)

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  8. Sharla, thank you for bringing us Peggy and your great blog!
    Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins

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    1. Hi Rosemary ~ Thanks for your comments. Your support means so much! ~ Peggy

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  9. Congratulations. I can't wait to read this book. And I think the cover is beautiful. As you say, a real kickback moment.

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  10. Your cover is beautiful, and the story sounds so interesting to me, probably because I wrote a novel about the same sort of topic. Man wishes to leave materialistic lifestyle behind, become more spiritual. I will get it in September. Congratulations!

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    1. Hi Lynn ~ I'd love to read your novel. What's the title? ~ Peggy

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  11. What a great blog post, full of inspiration and encouragement!! I'm curious how your novel ist and I can't wait to read it!!
    Well done, Peggy!!

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  12. Peggy, CONGRATULATIONS! Love the book cover! Tried to reply to Mamie's comments but it would not take it. Probably those darn captchas! Went through three:>( Maybe I will have better luck here. My birthday is September, too. Um-m-m-m? Maybe that will be a great month for sales!

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    1. Let's hope so--what a great birthday present that would be!

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  13. You are a very special person/Author always giving the extra mile. I am so priviledged to be following you.
    And you follow so many people, not sure how you do it!
    Can't wait to see what's next!
    Next time in Washington State, give me a holler-Love to meet you!
    Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins

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  14. Thank you so much Mamie. Hopefully we'll get back to Washington soon. It's a beautiful state!

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  15. I have great appreciation for that sense of a story begging to be told. . . not to mention the tenacity it takes to see it through. And when that book is in your hands, it really does have a life of its own. Congratulations . . .

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  16. Congrats on the book cover! And on all of the classes and such you took or were invited to. Makes me jealous! I'll check out Dyer's book you mentioned. (He's one of the few people I can tolerate on those PBS fundraisers.) One book I'll recommend, along the same lines of excuses (but geared towards writers) is Steven Pressfield's The War of Art. Everything that prevents us from writing, or from doing what we were meant to do in general, he calls "resistance."

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    1. Thanks Steven. Can't wait to read "The War of Art." I find these kinds of books very helpful. At this point, I'm looking forward to moving back into the creative side of writing. I'm reviewing the proof copy of "A Stop in the Park" for the second time. It's getting very tedious. I think I've read that book through editing about 500 times.

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  17. Quite a nice blog you've got here. I used to be trapped into 65 hour work weeks, but have since been able to leave teaching behind and devote two years to writing. Every day I think about how overwork ruins so many facets of our lives... Congrats on the book. Mine is eons away from being finished, but word by word, sentence by sentence, it will get written.

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    1. Hi Jeri ~ Absolutely you will get there. Be patient with the process. Writing a novel is like composing a symphony. It just can't be rushed. And...good for you for leaving the 65-hour work week. We need money, but balance is key. Keep me posted on how you are doing ~ Peggy

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  18. What a beautiful cover, Peggy, so evocative! And the book sounds great! Can't wait to read!

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    1. Thanks so much Barbara. I'm really excited!

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